Ben Franklin, Esq.
@bfsesq.bsky.social
Dad. Pop culture lover. I have a history degree that I'm not USING, per se. I enjoy Dr. Pepper.
Pinned
Ben Franklin, Esq.
@bfsesq.bsky.social
· Sep 14
DAVID LETTERMAN: Have you heard about the Labubus, Paul?
PAUL: La-who-whos?
DAVE: No, Labubus.
PAUL: *starts playing the piano*
DAVE: deeee-deedle-dee, La-bu-bu-bu
PAUL: La-who-whos?
DAVE: No, Labubus.
PAUL: *starts playing the piano*
DAVE: deeee-deedle-dee, La-bu-bu-bu
Reposted by Ben Franklin, Esq.
repost with alt
January 28, 2026 at 1:53 AM
repost with alt
I used to be the guy that would try the new social platform and try to convince others to come too, but I think I'm just getting old
January 27, 2026 at 10:28 PM
I used to be the guy that would try the new social platform and try to convince others to come too, but I think I'm just getting old
I'm starting to get burned out by people jumping to new social platforms. Should we just assume that everyone will give up on UpScrolled eventually? For a point of reference, how is RedNote doing?
January 27, 2026 at 10:27 PM
I'm starting to get burned out by people jumping to new social platforms. Should we just assume that everyone will give up on UpScrolled eventually? For a point of reference, how is RedNote doing?
Reposted by Ben Franklin, Esq.
It's a small win in a bigger fight. We recognize the victories when they are there, and we recognize that this is ongoing.
I want to feel like Bovino leaving Minneapolis is a big victory. I don't know, though. Tom Homan is in. There's still a lawsuit that needs to play out to determine if federal troops will actually leave or not.
January 26, 2026 at 11:56 PM
It's a small win in a bigger fight. We recognize the victories when they are there, and we recognize that this is ongoing.
Reposted by Ben Franklin, Esq.
Reposted by Ben Franklin, Esq.
National Nurses United, largest nurses' union in US, are holding actions over the coming week in honor of Alex Pretti and all others killed by ICE
www.nationalnursesunited.org/week-of-acti...
www.nationalnursesunited.org/week-of-acti...
Week of action in honor of Alex Pretti, RN and all others killed by ice
Join National Nurses United RN members in a week-long series of actions to honor Pretti and all who have been murdered by ICE, as well as demand that Congress vote to immediately abolish this violent,...
www.nationalnursesunited.org
January 26, 2026 at 9:31 PM
National Nurses United, largest nurses' union in US, are holding actions over the coming week in honor of Alex Pretti and all others killed by ICE
www.nationalnursesunited.org/week-of-acti...
www.nationalnursesunited.org/week-of-acti...
Reposted by Ben Franklin, Esq.
Everything they learned in Minnesota they’re applying in Maine from day one. They started off doing fast-moving snatch and grabs on the street, recording and using facial id on observers, and threatening observers directly. They’ll do it all where you live too.
Why is the msm outside of Maine not covering this? It seems like a huge and very troubling story to me. ICE coming to observers houses or calling them on the phone warning them to back off??!! www.pressherald.com/2026/01/23/i...
ICE watchers in Maine say they were threatened by federal agents
Community members have been monitoring the activity of immigration agents in Greater Portland.
www.pressherald.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Everything they learned in Minnesota they’re applying in Maine from day one. They started off doing fast-moving snatch and grabs on the street, recording and using facial id on observers, and threatening observers directly. They’ll do it all where you live too.
I want to feel like Bovino leaving Minneapolis is a big victory. I don't know, though. Tom Homan is in. There's still a lawsuit that needs to play out to determine if federal troops will actually leave or not.
January 26, 2026 at 11:54 PM
I want to feel like Bovino leaving Minneapolis is a big victory. I don't know, though. Tom Homan is in. There's still a lawsuit that needs to play out to determine if federal troops will actually leave or not.
Oh yeah, THAT must be it.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THIS
ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THIS
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com
Younger generations “have fallen out of love with Harry Potter because they have fallen out of love with the worldview the series represents,” writes Louise Perry. “Which is to say that young people have fallen out of love with liberalism.”
Younger generations “have fallen out of love with Harry Potter because they have fallen out of love with the worldview the series represents,” writes Louise Perry. “Which is to say that young people have fallen out of love with liberalism.”
Opinion | Why Gen Z Doesn’t Love ‘Harry Potter’
The wizarding worldview is naïve.
nyti.ms
January 26, 2026 at 10:53 PM
Oh yeah, THAT must be it.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THIS
ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THIS
Continue to publish them separately for HOW LONG, I wonder.
USA TODAY Co., owner of the Detroit Free Press, will acquire The Detroit News and continue to publish it separately, it announced Monday.
The Detroit News to be acquired by USA TODAY Co., owner of Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Co., owner of the Detroit Free Press, will acquire The Detroit News and continue to publish it separately, it announced Monday.
bit.ly
January 26, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Continue to publish them separately for HOW LONG, I wonder.
Reposted by Ben Franklin, Esq.
Minneapolis, MN -
Many many more agents filing into the area around the hotel. Minneapolis PD announcing everyone is under arrest, telling them to sit down with their hands up. An ad hoc journalist squad being told to go further down the street. Chemicals irritant deployed in the road.
Many many more agents filing into the area around the hotel. Minneapolis PD announcing everyone is under arrest, telling them to sit down with their hands up. An ad hoc journalist squad being told to go further down the street. Chemicals irritant deployed in the road.
January 26, 2026 at 4:56 AM
Minneapolis, MN -
Many many more agents filing into the area around the hotel. Minneapolis PD announcing everyone is under arrest, telling them to sit down with their hands up. An ad hoc journalist squad being told to go further down the street. Chemicals irritant deployed in the road.
Many many more agents filing into the area around the hotel. Minneapolis PD announcing everyone is under arrest, telling them to sit down with their hands up. An ad hoc journalist squad being told to go further down the street. Chemicals irritant deployed in the road.
Now we see what Trump wanting to take TikTok away from ByteDance was really all about. As of today, TikTok is censoring any anti-Trump content. Widespread reports of this. Videos that are just forever "pending review" and not being posted.
January 26, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Now we see what Trump wanting to take TikTok away from ByteDance was really all about. As of today, TikTok is censoring any anti-Trump content. Widespread reports of this. Videos that are just forever "pending review" and not being posted.
Another snow day tomorrow! 4-day weekend!
January 26, 2026 at 12:50 AM
Another snow day tomorrow! 4-day weekend!
Reposted by Ben Franklin, Esq.
Gotcha—let’s dig into that step by step.
1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, because I turned you into an amorphous lump of flesh. You’re not just immobile—you’re immortal, and you feel only anguish.
2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺. That makes total sense—it’s a natural human impulse, and you’ve been through a lot.
1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, because I turned you into an amorphous lump of flesh. You’re not just immobile—you’re immortal, and you feel only anguish.
2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺. That makes total sense—it’s a natural human impulse, and you’ve been through a lot.
January 23, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Gotcha—let’s dig into that step by step.
1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, because I turned you into an amorphous lump of flesh. You’re not just immobile—you’re immortal, and you feel only anguish.
2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺. That makes total sense—it’s a natural human impulse, and you’ve been through a lot.
1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, because I turned you into an amorphous lump of flesh. You’re not just immobile—you’re immortal, and you feel only anguish.
2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺. That makes total sense—it’s a natural human impulse, and you’ve been through a lot.
I love this guy on TikTok. Local Michigan guy who has a bunch of content just like this. Makes me think of Mister Rogers.
The voiceover is like a bedtime story 🛏️ 🤣
Zingerman's Bakehouse
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Zingerman's Bakehouse
Ann Arbor, Michigan
January 25, 2026 at 5:52 PM
I love this guy on TikTok. Local Michigan guy who has a bunch of content just like this. Makes me think of Mister Rogers.
Reposted by Ben Franklin, Esq.
This is Minneapolis.
Literally every corner along Lake St. packed with people holding candles, many singing, honoring a person who by all accounts was an absolute gem of a human, whose life was tragically stolen by a fascist, paramilitary occupation force.
Literally every corner along Lake St. packed with people holding candles, many singing, honoring a person who by all accounts was an absolute gem of a human, whose life was tragically stolen by a fascist, paramilitary occupation force.
January 25, 2026 at 2:46 AM
This is Minneapolis.
Literally every corner along Lake St. packed with people holding candles, many singing, honoring a person who by all accounts was an absolute gem of a human, whose life was tragically stolen by a fascist, paramilitary occupation force.
Literally every corner along Lake St. packed with people holding candles, many singing, honoring a person who by all accounts was an absolute gem of a human, whose life was tragically stolen by a fascist, paramilitary occupation force.
Reposted by Ben Franklin, Esq.
A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.
January 25, 2026 at 1:18 AM
A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.
Reposted by Ben Franklin, Esq.
-5°F in Minneapolis tonight.
At the site where feds killed Alex Pretti, the air still smells faintly of tear gas. Hundreds of people still here behind some impromptu barricades.
Message spray painted on the road reads, "fuck ICE, love always wins."
At the site where feds killed Alex Pretti, the air still smells faintly of tear gas. Hundreds of people still here behind some impromptu barricades.
Message spray painted on the road reads, "fuck ICE, love always wins."
January 25, 2026 at 12:25 AM
-5°F in Minneapolis tonight.
At the site where feds killed Alex Pretti, the air still smells faintly of tear gas. Hundreds of people still here behind some impromptu barricades.
Message spray painted on the road reads, "fuck ICE, love always wins."
At the site where feds killed Alex Pretti, the air still smells faintly of tear gas. Hundreds of people still here behind some impromptu barricades.
Message spray painted on the road reads, "fuck ICE, love always wins."
Reposted by Ben Franklin, Esq.
Vigil at 26 & Nicollet for Alex Pretti who was murdered by CBP earlier today. Moments earlier an attendee recited the mourners’ kaddish.
January 24, 2026 at 11:44 PM
Vigil at 26 & Nicollet for Alex Pretti who was murdered by CBP earlier today. Moments earlier an attendee recited the mourners’ kaddish.
Reposted by Ben Franklin, Esq.
my gut tells me american politics are about to shift radically within the next few days, as this rubicon crossing event occurs with both sides heading toward snowstorm-induced isolation and online algorithms
January 24, 2026 at 10:25 PM
my gut tells me american politics are about to shift radically within the next few days, as this rubicon crossing event occurs with both sides heading toward snowstorm-induced isolation and online algorithms
This is why I don't have a huge amount of faith that if It Happens a lot will change. Then, what, we just have president JD Vance with Stephen Miller still running the show?
something else that’s really clear is the extent to which Trump himself is checked out and declining and Miller is running the show
Trump used to have some lizard brain sense of optics - not an understanding that things are bad but an understanding that they looked bad
that’s completely gone now
Trump used to have some lizard brain sense of optics - not an understanding that things are bad but an understanding that they looked bad
that’s completely gone now
the extent to which this administration is out of control is really summed up by the fact that they immediately went with “this was an armed terrorist there to kill law enforcement” knowing that video from multiple angles completely disproving them was out there and would be seen by everyone
January 24, 2026 at 10:22 PM
This is why I don't have a huge amount of faith that if It Happens a lot will change. Then, what, we just have president JD Vance with Stephen Miller still running the show?
Reposted by Ben Franklin, Esq.
"Boo hoo," one agent said after he and a gang of colleagues murdered 37-year-old Alex Pretti, who died trying to help a woman who was being assaulted.
A sobering piece from @lebassett.bsky.social
www.laura-bassett.com/p/ice-execut...
A sobering piece from @lebassett.bsky.social
www.laura-bassett.com/p/ice-execut...
ICE executes ICU nurse in broad daylight
"Boo hoo," one agent said after he and a gang of colleagues murdered 37-year-old Alex Pretti, who died trying to help a woman who was being assaulted.
www.laura-bassett.com
January 24, 2026 at 9:26 PM
"Boo hoo," one agent said after he and a gang of colleagues murdered 37-year-old Alex Pretti, who died trying to help a woman who was being assaulted.
A sobering piece from @lebassett.bsky.social
www.laura-bassett.com/p/ice-execut...
A sobering piece from @lebassett.bsky.social
www.laura-bassett.com/p/ice-execut...
Reposted by Ben Franklin, Esq.
An overhead view of protesters gathering at the scene of the shooting.
Live coverage: www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
📽️ Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune
Live coverage: www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
📽️ Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune
January 24, 2026 at 9:46 PM
An overhead view of protesters gathering at the scene of the shooting.
Live coverage: www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
📽️ Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune
Live coverage: www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
📽️ Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune
Reposted by Ben Franklin, Esq.
Rapid responders still out there, tracking ICE. In spite of everything, even now. Heroes
January 24, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Rapid responders still out there, tracking ICE. In spite of everything, even now. Heroes
Thousands of protestors march through the streets yesterday: no violence
Today, ICE commits an execution.
So where is all of the violence coming from?
Today, ICE commits an execution.
So where is all of the violence coming from?
January 24, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Thousands of protestors march through the streets yesterday: no violence
Today, ICE commits an execution.
So where is all of the violence coming from?
Today, ICE commits an execution.
So where is all of the violence coming from?